Does any football fan NOT like Jimmy Bullard?

I believe that we entered a new era of anti-football this week.

Manchester City, for the few who haven't heard, are under new ownership with pockets so deep they make Roman Abramovich look like Oliver Twist.

The Sheikh's first act as City owner was to complete the signing of Brazilian forward Robinho from Real Madrid, presumably pissing Abramovich off in the process.

When a man and his family takes over a club and spends £35m in the same day, football has eaten itself.

But the beginnings of anti-football far pre-date this week, and have many manifestations.

One source of displeasure for the traditional football supporter is the England team. Gone are the days of players putting in blood-and-thunder performances for their country. It's debatable, but there is undoubtedly a perception among supporters that the highly-paid players of the Premier League lack passion when playing for England. The current generation has nothing left to prove. It's been successful from a young age, and it's on a whole hell of a lot of money.

Fantastic news, then, when Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard was selected in Fabio Capello's England squad for World Cup Qualification clashes against Andorra and Croatia on Saturday and next Wednesday respectively.

The 29-year-old east-ender has snuck under the radar for most of us throughout his career. He began at Corinthian before being snapped up by Gravesend & Northfleet (now MyFootballClub.com's Ebbsfleet). In 1999 he signed for West Ham, but moved on a free to Peterborough in 2001. They only took him after a trial.

In 2003, Wigan came calling and Bullard became a household name with some entertaining moments and great goals as his team impressed in the Premier League. But he wanted to move closer to home, and took a 2006 move to Fulham when they triggered a release clause in his Latics contract. He's struggled with injury, but his return has been significant in Fulham's small revival under Roy Hodgson.

And so I put it to you, friends, that Jimmy Bullard is universally popular among traditional footy fans.

His late success gives us a reason to have faith in the game. To be called up at 29 is a fantastic achievement for the man and he must be absolutely buzzing at the moment. We like him because he clearly loves the game. He's enthusiastic and hard-working, and he plays with a smile on his face. More than that, he's really rather good at it.

Bullard is also fondly known for his slightly odd but very funny sense of humour, whether it's trying to score a sneaky goal during floodlight failure, diving over a pile of players into the goal, or pulling faces at Duncan Ferguson.

Jimmy Bullard is genuine. He's the antithesis of the England international. I really hope he gets a cap. Go on Fabio, you know it makes sense.

(Photo Credit: Sky Sports)